Fly swatter



Feb. 6, 1940. E. w. HAVILAND FLY SWATTER Filed My 2, 1938 mental Feb. s, 1940 UNITEDlv STATES l 2,189,360 v f' FLY 'SWATTER I Ebenezer W. Hamiland, Brookeville, Md.

Application `May 2,1938, serial No. 205,629

`5" Clais.y (o1. '4s-135) This invention relates to y swatters `and has for its general object the provision of folding or collapsible swatters of various types, the size l or overall length of which may be reduced as for convenience in transportation, storage, or carrying upon the person. i

It is also an object of the invention to providel a ny swatter of this type which also embodies mechanical means for projecting or actuating the swatter blade or handfor striking the insect, thus greatly increasing thel rapidity or suddenness with which the swatter strikes, as compared with the ordinary hand swung device. Provision is made for retractingtheblade or hand and placing it under resilient tension, whereupon it may be suddenly released andprojected toward its object with a snap action, which will insure the destruction of the fly before it can possibly take night.

The invention thus provides avfly swatter which is not only a very effective insect destroyer, ybut which affords a source of amusement and entertainment as an interesting novelty'for children and adults, alike.

In all of its various possible forms, the inventionvcontemplates the provision `of a bladey or hand of any suitable or conventionalA shape and of any appropriate construction, such as -of fabric, leather, rubber, wire brush, wire mesh, or the like. Instead of the usual rigid elongated handle, however, the device is provided with only a relatively short shank connected with or forming a part of the hand or blade, and an extension vto which it is pivotally connected, the length of such extension being preferablyy approximately equal to the length of the blade and shank portion. The device may thus be folded together at the pivotal joint, andthe total ovel-,v

all extended length shortened by one-half yso that the swatter may be carried in the pocket or. disposed in a small 'space when not in use.

Thespring actuated embodiment of the invention,; in its preferred form, contemplates the provision of means for suddenly and vigorouslyl swinging the blade and shankl away from .the handle extension about the pivot point,so 'as to impart a snap action to the swatter which'would be impossible to execute merely byhand.l In this form the handle extension member is'providedl with a seat or receptacle against-which the blade carrying member is folded and to which the'latter is connected by means of a `quicklyren leasable triggerfactuated catch. The handle member ralso comprises a retractable spring means for placing the swatting portion ofthe de `of fly swatter embodying manner ofoperating the device; f

vice under tension,l and manually actuated means foi` retracting the spring means andfor--retaining it in retracted or cocked position. YWhen thus set, release of the trigger actuated catch the insect to be exterminated.

Oth'er objects and features of novelty-willk be apparent from the following specication Awhen read in connection with the accompanying'drawing in Which certain embodiments of, my invention are illustrated by Way of example.

In the drawing: f

Figure 1 is a viewin perspective of one form the principles of `my will permit the swattingA blade to" snap toward invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View taken' on line 2-2 ofFigure 1 and scale; y Figure3 is a transverse sectional View ltaken on line 3-3'of Figure 1; y n Figure 3A is a fragmentary sectional View taken longitudinally and centrally of the joint between the two pivoted members; Y

Figure 4 ris a fragmentary plan view of a yportion of the manipulating means for' the swatter; Figurey 5 is a perspective .viewfillustrating the Figure 6 is a plan View of a modiiiedform of folding swatter; and ,g Figure A'7 is a View in side elevation of the same in folded condition. n Y

In the-embodiment illustrated in Figures l to .5 of the drawing, the swatter vblade or hand of the implement is indicatedby the Inumeral |0 and is shown as beingl of the wire brush o r whisk type, although any kind of .blade maybe emr ployed. The wires forming thel blade are 'secured in any'suitable way to the shank. Il which ispivoted or fulcrumedto the mainvha'ndle member I2 as by means of the pin Iiiv whichpasses through the side walls of the shank Il vadjacent the end thereof and also 'through the ears i6 portions of the side walls I'! of the substantially .U-shaped stem portion i8 of this member.'A `The lshank il is also preferably of U-shaped cross ,section, but facing in the opposite direction.

on a slightly enlarged formed on the handle member i2 byirextending of the member for a purpose to be later described.

Thus far there has been described a foldable swatter which may be collapsed for carrying in the pocket or other purposes, the blade IIJ nesting in the receptacle 20, 2l as already pointed out.

This embodiment is also provided with means for retracting the blade member from its open position and placing it under spring tension for projecting it toward an insect, and this mechanism will now be described. Y

Slidably disposed, with relation to the narrower stem portion I8 of the handle member I2, is the member which is also preferably U-shaped so as to embrace the stem I8 as clearly shownin Figure 2. A projection 25 is provided on the sliding member 25, which extends upwardly through the slot 2'I in the bottom wall of the stem I8. Extending outwardly from each side of the slide 25 are the horizontally disposed rings 28 for the manipulation of the slide in a manner to be described.

The projection 26 on the slide is provided with anropening 29 by means of which one end of a tightly compressed coil spring 3D may be secured to the projection. The spring 30 is disposed within the trough formed by the U-shaped stem I8 and its opposite end is secured to one end of a link 32 as at 33; the other end of the link being pivotally connected as. at 3d to the projecting inner end of the blade shank I I. Thus far it will be understood that when the slide 25 is moved toward the head of the handle I2 the blade Ill and shank I I will be moved outwardly away from the handle member through the linkage comprising the spring 30 and link 32, and when the slide is moved toward the fulcrum or pivot end of the handle, the blade I and shank II will be .swung back toward a substantially parallel position with respect to the handle I2.

In order to retain the blade and shank member III, II in its folded position a latch or catch element is provided on the receptacle or pocket portion 20 of the handle member. The element 35 extends along the under side of the handle portion 20 and may be guided for limited sliding movement by the tongues 3S which are struck from the metal of which the portion 23 is composed. A barbed or hooked end 33 is formed on one end of the element 35 which projects upwardly through the somewhat longitudinally elongated opening 39 at the base of the portion 20 near where it joins the stem portion I8 of the handle member.

'I'he opposite end 4D of the catch 35 projects upwardly through the opening 42 in the portion 20, which is also somewhat enlarged longitudinally of the device. A part of the metal of the plate 2U is struck upwardly as at 44 adjacent the inner margin of the opening 42 and small leaf spring 45 is secured'as at 45 to the end lll of the catch and is adapted to bear against the portion 44 to urge the slide 35 toward the outer end of the handle member I2.

The blade and shank members Il), II are provided With an opening IIB into which the hooked end 38 of the catch 35 is adapted to snap when the two members comprising the swatter are folded together; and it will be readily understood that a slight pressure on the manipulative end 40 of the latch 35 will serve to release the blade member.

'I'he operation of the device will now be described together with such necessary additional elements which have not already been introduced. In the preferred mode of operation of this embodiment of the invention, the forenger and middle finger are placed in the rings 28 so as to project upwardly therethrough and the thumb is similarly inserted in the end ring 22, as shown in the sketch comprising Figure 5 of the drawing.

By extending the iingers with relation to the thumb the slide 25 is moved toward the jointed end of thel handle member I2 Aand due to the incompressibility of the spring 3G, the link 32 is caused to exert pressure on the end of the shank II` and the latter is swung to folded position against the handle member I 2, where it is caught and held by the latch 35.

Then in order to prepare the device for operation, the slide 25 is drawn rearwardly by the iingers in they rings 28, the spring 30 being stretched until the slide nears the rear end of the slot 21. At this point the slide is held by means of the engagement of the detent 5S within the opening 5I in one or" the walls Il of the handle stem I3. The detent is pivoted as at 52 within a slot 53 formed in one of the rings 28 and is provided with a finger contacting portion 54. A small spring member 55 is secured to the detent 50 and serves by pressure against the ring 28 to urge the detent toward the engaging position shown in Figure 3. Release ci the detent may be readily accomplished by the resumption of pressure against the part 54 by the forefinger.

When the detent 50 engages the opening 5I, the device is cocked and ready for actuation in swatting the ny. The device is held in proper position as indicated in Figure 5 and pressure is applied to the latch release projection 4D by means of the thumb which extends through the opening 22; the blade is released; and through the influence of the spring 3U it is. caused to snap suddenly outwardly with suicient rapidity and force to destroy the insect before it can ily away.

By retracting the slide 25 and tensioning the spring 30 while the swatter is open and unlatched, it may be employed in the conventional 1 manner of a hand swung swatter, the two mem bers I0-II and I2 being in substantial alignment; the shank II and handle member I?. then comprising an elongated handle of common type.

In Figures 6 and "I of the drawing there is 5i shown another embodiment of folding fly swatter which comprises a hand or blade of suitable construction, having secured thereto a wire shank 6I in the form of an elongated loop 52 extending rom the twist 53 to the transversely exa tending rear portion to which is pivoted the handle member 65. The handle member is also of wire formed into an elongated loop, thc two forward ends of the wire being each bent or wrapped a full turn about the transverse end of thev shank loop 62, as at 65. I'Ihen the projecting ends are preferably twisted together es at EB to lie in the same plane as the shank loop 52.

In order to retain the swatter in extended operative position with'the blade 60, shank 6I, and handle in alignment a at sleeve 69 is slidably mounted on the shank loop B2 so that it may embrace the projecting end 68 of the handle 65 and lock the pivot joint between the two members. In order to release the lock the sleeve 59 is moved to the left as seen in Figure 6, thus freeing the endl 68; and the implement may be folded together as shown in Figure 7 with the two members parallel. The length of the swatter is thus reduced by approximately one-half so 'of the handle member ications may Y, i, l 2,189,360 thatit may be carried in the pocket*` or stored,

packed or shipped conveniently. An extension may beprovide'd as indicated at l0. This comprises a Wire loop the ends 'il of which are wound around the side members of the handle 65 so as to be slidable thereon. It is understood that various changes and modrials, and mode of construction ofthe embodiments illustrated and described herein Without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what, is claimed as newand desired to be secured "by Letters Patent is: l

1. A foldable fly swatter comprising a handle memberand a pivoted striker member, said mem- 'bers being foldable together one against the other, and said handle member being'formed with a pocket or receptacle for receiving and v guarding said' striker member when folded.

2. A ily swatter as set forth in claim 1 in which there are provided on elements for manipulating the swatter.

3. A ily swatter of the class described comprising, in icombination,

from aposition in substantial longitudinalk alignment with said handle member to a position vwherein said Amembers are folded together one against the other, andv vice Versa, acatch for releasably retaining said members in folded position, a spring operative between said members to swing said striker member away from said folded position toward said position of alignment, finger holds carried by said handle member and manually operable means operatively associated with` certain of said finger holds for placing the spring under tension, for retaining said spring in` and releasing it from tensioned position, and for releasing the striker holding catch.

`Il. A fly fswatter, of the class described comprising, in combination, an elongated handle member, a striker member fulcrumed-thereon so as to swing from a position of substantial alignment therewith to a position wherein itis folded be made in the proportions, matesaid handle, linger grip` a handle member, av striker member fulcrumed thereon, so as to rswing 3 against said handle member, and vice versa, a spring catch for retaining said members in folded position, an lexpanslible spring disposed along a portionr of said handle 'member and having one end connected to a point on said strikery member beyondl said'fulcrum point, a member slidable along said handle member and connected vwith kthe other end of said spring, linger holds on said i sliding member and lon said handle member for use in moving saidsliding member relatively to said handle member to rtension the spring, a detent operating between said sliding member and said handle member for holding said spring in tensioned position, linger actuated means associated with certain of said finger holds for vreleasing said detent and a trigger operable from a finger hold on the handle member for tripping said spring catch for releasingthe striker member. v y 5. A fly swatter of the class described comprising,.in combination, an elongated handle member of U-shaped cross section,l a striker member having a short shank fulcrumed on said handle member so as to swing from a position of substantial alignment therewith-to a position wherein it is folded against said handle member,l and vice versa, a spring catch for retaining said members in folded position, an expansible spring disposed within a portion of said rhandle member and having one end connected by means of a link to a point o n the shank of said striker member beyond said fulcrum point, a member slidable valong said handle member andconnected with nger holds on said i EBENEZER W;HAV1LAND.

memberl for tripping 

